Angelo B.

Spot and stalk with a crossbow! Great shot Troy!

Javelina Hunting in Texas

Texas is one of only 4 states that have javelina, or collared peccary. Javelina can be found in the more arid or semi-arid parts of the state including South Texas, West Texas and Central Texas. In Texas, javelina are considered game animals and can be hunted by anyone with a valid Texas Hunting License. There are no “tags” required for javelina hunting, but there is a bag limit of 2 javelina per person per year. In most Texas counties there is no closed season for javelina hunting, but the best time for a specific javelina hunt is mid-January through March. This is after we have been feeding for several months of deer season and before it starts to get too hot. Javelina are also a great trophy animal to add to any other hunt.

Who is this hunt for:

With no closed season for javelina hunting in most Texas counties, these are great off season hunts for a group of buddies looking to have a little fun or extend their hunting season. Since javelina have poor eyesight, and not the best hearing, they are also a blast to spot and stalk with a bow or crossbow. Being small, typically less than 40 lbs, and thin skinned the javelina is a perfect game animal for younger or less experienced hunters as well. They also make a pretty cool mount with their long canine teeth, or tusks, so whether your an experienced hunter looking to extend your hunting season and get out of the colder northern climates early in the year or a novice hunter looking to take your first game animal, javelina hunting is for you!

Javelina Hunting Prices

Javelina are members of the peccary family. There are 3 species of peccaries, but the only species found in the United States is the collared peccary. Javelina are typically found in small herds or “family groups.” They primarily feed on cacti, mesquite beans, lechuguilla, sotol, mast, fruits, and insects. Prickly pear cactus is a favorite for javelina. Despite the fact that javelina eat mainly cacti and insects they have very sharp canine teeth, or tusks. Their tusks help javelina make a popping, or chomping, noise when threatened. Aggressive encounters with humans are very rare, but javelina can definitely tear up a dog so just be mindful of your pets when you encounter javelina out in the wild.

We typically hunt javelina the same way we hunt whitetail deer, which is out of a blind overlooking several senderos (cleared roadways) in the brush. The way I prefer to hunt javelina is to feed the roads and drive around until we locate a group of javelina coming out to feed and then spot and stalk them. Sneaking along the edge of the sendero trying to get within bow range is a lot more challenging hunt, but also a lot more fun. When hunting javelina out in West Texas we typically hunt out of a vehicle, safari style, until we locate them and then it’s typically spot and stalk. Either way, they are pretty cool little critters and make for some really fun hunts.

Since javelina have pretty poor eyesight a lot of camo isn’t necessary when hunting javelina. I typically just wear jeans, snake boots (to keep the cactus and thorns/brush off my legs) and a camo shirt. With no closed season for javelina hunting in most Texas counties the weather with vary greatly depending on the region and time of year we will be hunting. If you are coming on a javelina hunt it’s probably best to just call me and find out what the weather has been like and what it’s forecast to be and pack accordingly.

Javelina can be hunted in 93 Texas counties and can be found in South Texas, the Texas Hill Country as well as West Texas. Most of my javelina hunts are conducted in South Texas, but it’s also very common for us to hunt javelina in West Texas if we have any extra days available while on an aoudad, elk or bison hunt.